Affectionate and sweet-natured, the Maine Coon cat is gentler than its massive size and shaggy appearance suggest. Sometimes Maine Coons are polydactyls - meaning they have an extra toe or two on their paw. It generally causes no harm to them at all and runs no health risks - it’s just a gene defect they’ve inherited along the way!
Facts & advice
Maine Coon
An extroverted and playful breed and natural-born swimmer
Vital stats
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| Size: | Large |
| Coat: | Long and thick |
| Life span:9 | 13 – 14 years |
| Temperament: | Extroverted, adaptable, easygoing |
Maine Coon personality & temperament
The Maine Coon’s temperament is bright and adaptable. They take a while to warm up to humans, but once they do their extroverted nature shows itself.
- The Maine Coon is generally an excellent companion and a reliable family pet. They have a broad range of vocalisations and they’ll happily chat to you about their day or call you when they want a bit of attention.
- The temperament of a Maine Coon cat is one of the key reasons people love these beautiful shaggy beasts. Their chilled nature is great to be around and they are often referred to as gentle giants because of their placid nature and large stature.
- This breed had been named the official state cat of Maine, where the breed originally comes from. The Maine Coon was highly prized as a rat catcher in the US and these cats were often on board ships as pest deterrents; some think this is why modern Maine Coons have an unusual interest in water! This means they respond well to prey-instinct games.
- One of the key Maine Coon cat personality traits is loyalty – they will often attach themselves to one person like a dog. While they’re not generally a lapcat, they’re friendly, tactile and affectionate.
- Unusually, the Maine Coon cat loves to sleep in odd places and acknowledge water around them, which makes it an endlessly entertaining family pet.
Maine Coon food & diet
These large, high-energy cats need a balanced cat food, and lots of it, to keep them on their toes all day long!
- Like all cats, Maine Coon cats are obligate carnivores, so they need to eat meat. But these cats are high energy, so the best Maine Coon cat food is one that provides them with all the nutrients they need.
- Due to their size and how much energy they burn off while playing, they usually require more cat food than other breeds.
- Maine Coon cats like to drink a lot of water, so ensuring fresh, clean water is on hand at all times is essential and placed away from their food bowl.
- In general, the best diet for a Maine Coon involves a mix of wet and dry cat food that provides plenty of protein.
Maine Coon grooming & coat care
Maine Coons have long, shaggy coats that will benefit from regular brushing to keep them looking their best.
- Maine Coon coats come in a variety of beautiful colours - though perhaps the silver tabby and the ginger varieties are the most iconic. Maine Coons’ coat patterns are always distinctive and unique, but usually they share an ‘M’ pattern on their forehead.
- Their other iconic features are their large and furry ears and their thick, full cheeks. Maine Coon coats are usually fine and soft to touch, making them a perfectly silky companion for a winter evening; they have faces you just can’t resist stroking.
- The Maine Coon cat coat is truly a thing to behold and grooming can be satisfying for both the cat and the owner. It should be introduced gently to young kittens using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Grooming a Maine Coon cat should be done two or three times a week to prevent tangling and matting. You can buy special Maine Coon cat grooming tools to make it easier.
- Grooming Maine Coons also helps them to shed dead fur, detangle knots before they get matted, and clean debris from their tails - these active cats love to explore, and a lot of that exploring comes home with them!
Maine Coon training & behaviour
Maine Coons are active and adventurous so they’ll need plenty of exercise and lots of games to keep them engaged.
- Maine Coons’ exercise needs are fairly predictable. Like many other cats, they’ll sleep for a long period and then have short bursts of wild activity that will leave you exhausted just watching them. They love games, too, so you’ll never be bored.
- Maine Coon cats are intelligent and easy to train, being fast learners. They’re also usually able to be trained to walk on a lead if necessary.
- Maine Coons will work out how much exercise they need and act accordingly. This is a breed which needs access to outside space to keep them happy and active, as they are incredibly athletic, so they won’t do well as indoor cats.
- Maine Coon cats are natural swimmers and have a weather-proof, semi-water repellent coat. They really enjoy drinking from a tap or messing around in shallow water.
- How successful you are in training your Maine Coon cat comes down to how much time you’re willing to invest, as well as your training skills. You’ll need a lot of patience and plenty of treats and toys but this is a cat that will give you plenty of reward for your effort.
- A Maine Coon will generally sleep more than the average cat, especially during the kitten stage. So don’t be surprised if a new kitten sleeps a lot, especially during the first few days at home.
- Maine Coons are independent, but can get lonely if left on their own for long periods. Generally, it is recommended to get a pair of Maine Coons so they can entertain each other while their humans are away.
Common Maine Coon health conditions
As a cat owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Maine Coons are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Maine Coons.
Maine Coons, like other cats, can suffer from problems in the lower respiratory tract (the trachea and the lungs). Feline asthma, for example, occurs when allergies and irritants cause the lower airways (bronchi) and lungs to become inflamed and sensitive. Symptoms include coughing and wheezing. While asthma is not curable, it is manageable with various longterm medications including tablets, injections and even inhalers.
Heart disease in cats refers to when the heart’s structures aren’t working as they should be. There are two categories of heart disease: congenital (meaning the cat is born with it) and acquired (meaning the disease develops later in life). Congenital heart diseases include defects in the wall of the heart, abnormal valves and blood vessels. Maine Coons are prone to a disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure. Whilst this condition is not curable, it can be treated with lifelong medication.
Maine Coons, like many cats, may suffer from skin disease caused by parasites (fleas or mites), allergies (to food, dust mites, pollens and fleas), fungal infections (such as ringworm), wounds (cuts, bites or burns), bacterial or viral infections and tumours. If a cat cannot groom itself properly for any reason, its fur may also become matted. Sometimes an internal disease can affect the skin. Treatment, either long or short term, can usually be given to ensure the cat lives a long, comfortable life.
Conditions that affect a cat’s bladder and urethra are collectively known as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is more commonly referred to as cystitis. Maine Coons can suffer from these conditions, which can be caused by stress, not urinating enough, infections and bladder stones or crystals. Cats suffering from cystitis make frequent, painful attempts to urinate, and blood is often found in the urine. Treatment depends on the cause, but cats diagnosed with cystitis will usually require pain relief, access to plenty of water, special diets and perhaps some help to reduce stress.
Cats can suffer from various joint, bone and ligament diseases, which are known as orthopaedic problems. One that Maine Coons may suffer from is hip dysplasia, where the ball and socket of the hip joint do not develop properly. Hip dysplasia may not show until it has progressed to secondary arthritis (inflammation and bone changes in the affected joint that cause pain and lameness). Anti-inflammatory painkillers, joint supplements and sometimes surgery may be required to control arthritic pain in cats. These can be used from time to time or on an ongoing basis to make sure the cat is happy and comfortable.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Maine Coon cat
Bringing a new cat home can be a daunting time but what do you need to know about your Maine Coon?
- Due to their long, luscious fur, Maine Coons need more grooming attention than other cats. You’ll need to get them used to this early on, and this should happen 2-3 times a week.
- As Maine Coons can be more prone to heart conditions than other breeds, so it’s always best to have regular vet checkups to stay on top of any health issues.
- Maine Coons take a while to warm up to their new home, and can be skittish around new people. Bear this in mind if you have young children or a lot of house guests, as this may upset your cat.
Maine Coon frequently asked questions
Maine Coon cats usually live to around 13 or 14 years, but there have been some who have lived for much longer.
Maine Coon cats are intelligent and fast learning, and tend to pick up tricks and new skills easily. However, you will need to be patient and invest in plenty of cat toys and cat games to keep them motivated.
Maine Coon cats are generally good-natured and gentle, meaning they tend to get on with children, if well socialised and introduced gradually. Their calm and caring nature makes them a lovely pet to welcome into the family. However, as with any animal, make sure any playtime between children and your Maine Coon is supervised to make sure everyone is safe and happy.
Maine Coon cats are extremely tolerant and get on well with other cats and dogs, but it’s best to socialiase them early on, match them carefully and take introductions slowly.
Due to their size, Maine Coon cats tend to eat a lot more than most normal house cats. Most adult Maine Coon cats eat 200–250 grams of wet food per day. Maine Coons don’t fully mature in size until they’re at least four years old, so their food intake will grow as they do.
Maine Coon insurance considerations
Maine Coons sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan cat insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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